Page 22 of Beneath Southern Stars

My friend squeals, drawing looks from the people closest to us. I can’t shame her enthusiasm. When I saw the dangling little llamas wearing Santa caps, I couldn’t resist. If Honey thinks this outfit is cute, wait until she sees the matching shirts I have for me and Steve to wear during caroling. See, I’m over the moon excited for the Jubilee. I just don’t want to stand on the stage.And talk.

“Laney, everything looks fantastic. Your vision really came to life.”

Her praise quiets my nerves slightly. “Thank you. I only wanted to add a little vibrancy and modern twists. Though I couldn’t help myself with the tree.”

“Having the elementary school students create the ornaments was genius. Lemon said the kids loved doing it and can’t wait to visit the tree to find their contribution.”

I look around at the crowd, trying to see the minor changes of the Jubilee decorations through the town’s eyes. Streetlamps are adorned with traditional green garland accented with red and gold. Magnolia Park is lit up with bright lights woven through the trees. Our committee made sure to keep the candy canes along the walking path, but Dean Sullivan had his crew reinforce them and add bright reflective paint making them more visible at night.

Having a friend who is also a wedding planner made securing a large tent for the various activities to be held a lot easier than I expected. Lucy was beside herself when she realized the plan was to use those pop-up things people have at yard sales and the farmer’s market. It was one tradition I gladly took off the list.

My eyes continue to take in the decorations and I’m proud of what we’ve done. Seeing it all come together and the happiness on people’s faces makes up for the sleepless nights and random stress pimples I dealt with these last few months.

“Mimi wanted me to make sure you know the ladies have rallied and Ryan shouldn’t have any problems.”

I turn to face Honey and smile. “Thank you for being there when he met with them.”

“Of course. I have to say, Ryan is not what I expected.”

Interesting. “How so?”

Honey lifts her shoulder in response while waving at Rae Lynn and Dean. “I don’t know. I guess I thought he’d be kind of full of himself.” A laugh bubbles out of me. “Oh hush. I didn’t say he is full of himself. Quite the opposite. He’s pretty down to earth. No wonder you like him.”

My eyes widen at her flippant comment. I swivel my head so quickly to see if anyone

heard her, my glasses slide down my nose. Pushing them up, I look back to my friend who is unabashedly smirking. Of course, I called her after spending time with Ryan the other night. Did I also swoon as I told her about kissing him? Yes, I did. Girl code requires she keep this information to herself.

“Shhh,” I admonish.

“Relax. Nobody is paying us any attention. Besides, youdolike him. It’s a good thing, Laney. And watching him with his little girl? Girl, I felt my ovaries threatening to explode. Poor JD. I went straight home and brought up babies.”

“You are too much. But I know what you mean. Pepper is the sweetest and he’s so patient with her. And Mimi and Mrs. Jinny? They weren’t too overbearing?”

Honey waves me off. “You know them. Of course they came on a little strong but in a loving way. Mimi made sure he understood how much power their group holds.”

“You know,” I begin before looking around one more time, “until now I didn’t realize how much an outsider might think we’re speaking about the mafia.”

Honey shrugs. “I mean, they kind of are like their own little underground society. I still think they have meetings we know nothing about, and if we let them, they could rule the world.”

“It’s so weird to think about that but I have to agree. Not to change the subject but, do you think Mattie would consider taking my place tonight?”

A deep voice from behind me causes us both to jump. “Not a chance.”

Hand to my chest I spin and glare at the man himself. “Why not?”

Emma, Zoey, and Mattie’s brother, Jayson, gather around us laughing. “Why? You’re the one who let Ms. Linda talk you into this madness. I have to give you credit, Laney, changing the theme of the tree was pretty ballsy.”

Jayson chuckles as I shoot him a glare. Before I can respond, Wade and Lemon join our group. I accept the compliments on the first event of the Jubilee. This is why I love Magnolia Grove. Even when I’m freaking out internally about having to greet all these people, my friends make it all disappear.

As a group, we stand around talking a little longer, folks stopping to say hello and offer holiday greetings. The music playlist I put together blasts from the speakers and people sing along to the familiar tunes, some couples dancing. I’m laughing at a story Wren and Decker share about his grandpa, Vernon,when something pushes on my legs, causing me to lose balance. I look down and smile at the familiar little girl wearing pink glasses and a matching Santa hat. Pepper is smiling up at me, her eyes bright as the lights strung all around the stage.

I look around for Ryan but don’t see him among the masses. It’s not like him to not be near Pepper, but it is pretty crowded so possible they were separated. I squat down eye level with my little friend.

“Hey cutie. Where’s your daddy?”

She shrugs and leans into me, her mouth near my ear. “He got lost.”

I lean back and look at her, my heart swelling triple its size at the sound of her sweet voice. I try my best to school my expression, trying not to look like I’m freaking out. This is a special moment. Something I know most don’t get with Pepper.

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